Welcome to our Spring issue.
Are you sitting comfortably? It’s a question that our cover star, designer Erwan Bouroullec, no doubt asked himself several times while working on his latest project, the Mynt task chair for Vitra. When your clientele is working at home, moving around more in their workplace or even sharing seating, the answer isn’t that simple. We caught up with Bouroullec at his Paris atelier to hear his solutions – get up to speed yourself on page 84.
Comfort is subjective, and often as much about our psychological and emotional states as the physical. As the author Jun’ichirō Tanizaki wrote, “Unfinished wood, as it darkens and the grain grows more subtle with the years, acquires an inexplicable power to calm and soothe.” For Japanese company Karimoku Furniture, wood isn’t just a material, but a collaborator, demanding its own approach and skill set. Its Karimoku Research Centre (see page 48) celebrates the material in all its forms, with exhibitions and events for visitors to explore, alongside material samples and furniture prototypes.
Eko Modular, who build structures from wood panels, has constructed a family home next to its new HQ (see page 114), proving that timber is as comfortable in the domestic sphere as it is in the workplace. Even its offices, where wood covers every surface, feel warm, inviting and homey.
Creating a welcoming space was the aim behind the recent renovation of Finlandia Hall, Alvar Aalto’s masterpiece in Helsinki (page 92). Architect Teemu Tuomi of NRT worked with interior designers Fyra to bring the venue up to modern standards while adding a new bistro, café and shop for the public. Now this architectural jewel has a bright future as well as a storied past.
Welcoming is also an apt description of Amator, the new restaurant from the Copenhagen-based Polish chef, Mateusz Sarnowski (page 180). Brought to life by architect Adam Wierciński, it is a study in simplicity, with minimal separation between the kitchen and dining area, a long communal table and open shelving for ingredients. “It’s about the experience,” says Wierciński. “We want to bring people together, just like you would at home.” Truly a measure of comfort.
Read the new issue of OnOffice 170, Spring 2025, here
